Apollo tank, oil changing, help needed...please
Discussion
I want to change the engine oil in my 1.8 K series.
The car is fitted with an apollo anti cavitation tank, what is the procedure for changing the oil?
Also being cheeky...Any help with changing the Diff and 5 speed gearbox oil, would be really helpful!!
Things like, is there a plug, you remove to check the right level?..in either the gearbox or Diff?
I am a little concerned as i am getting a bit of a clunk on the drivetrain, when i change gear and the diff whines more than i would think it should! (i know it is inches away but seems quite loud?
(I tried search but it didn't answer my questions...not for my little brain anyways..
)
Thankyou in advance!
Mike.
The car is fitted with an apollo anti cavitation tank, what is the procedure for changing the oil?
Also being cheeky...Any help with changing the Diff and 5 speed gearbox oil, would be really helpful!!
Things like, is there a plug, you remove to check the right level?..in either the gearbox or Diff?
I am a little concerned as i am getting a bit of a clunk on the drivetrain, when i change gear and the diff whines more than i would think it should! (i know it is inches away but seems quite loud?
(I tried search but it didn't answer my questions...not for my little brain anyways..
)Thankyou in advance!
Mike.
redmire said:
I want to change the engine oil in my 1.8 K series.
The car is fitted with an apollo anti cavitation tank, what is the procedure for changing the oil?
Also being cheeky...Any help with changing the Diff and 5 speed gearbox oil, would be really helpful!!
Things like, is there a plug, you remove to check the right level?..in either the gearbox or Diff?
I am a little concerned as i am getting a bit of a clunk on the drivetrain, when i change gear and the diff whines more than i would think it should! (i know it is inches away but seems quite loud?
(I tried search but it didn't answer my questions...not for my little brain anyways.. )
Thankyou in advance!
Mike.
Hi Mike,The car is fitted with an apollo anti cavitation tank, what is the procedure for changing the oil?
Also being cheeky...Any help with changing the Diff and 5 speed gearbox oil, would be really helpful!!
Things like, is there a plug, you remove to check the right level?..in either the gearbox or Diff?
I am a little concerned as i am getting a bit of a clunk on the drivetrain, when i change gear and the diff whines more than i would think it should! (i know it is inches away but seems quite loud?
(I tried search but it didn't answer my questions...not for my little brain anyways..
)Thankyou in advance!
Mike.
Diffs on Caterhams are notoriously noisy. Part of this reason is due to the proximity to the cockpit with zero soundproofing to absorb the noise but also there is a question about the way the fixings are used with large plate washers bridging the small gap between the chassis and the diff which also helps to transmit the noise through the car. There is a thread on Blatchat commenting on the use of a thicker oil which might help reduce some noise : http://www.blatchat.com/t.asp?id=190646
A popular choice for oil extraction seems to be one of these : http://www.machinemart.co.uk/shop/product/details/... You will need to empty it part way through as an Apollo system holds around 7 litres of oil and means you needn't disturb any of the connections at all - or even get too dirty going under the car. it should work nicely on the diff as well...
My pal and I recently did oil and coolant change on our 7 and we are both complete mechanical beginners. We posted on blatchat about draining the Apollo tank (there is a drain at the bottom), but a few suggested just using the sump drain and leaving it over night to drain (we also jacked the front of the car up on ramps).
We measured the oil out roughly, and it was pretty much on the nose of 7 litres that came out. As long as you are using the same oil to replace then this worked for us. We will probably change the oil every 3k due to track use anyway.
We measured the oil out roughly, and it was pretty much on the nose of 7 litres that came out. As long as you are using the same oil to replace then this worked for us. We will probably change the oil every 3k due to track use anyway.
Great stuff, i am now in posession of some axle stands...infact the whole kit; two axle stands, trolley jack (All two ton) some whhel chocks, a wheel brace and a 'Skid me under board'
I didn't need them all, i only went to buy a jack and Halfords did all these in a pack, for £44.00 !!...Not real crap either! (thought someone may be interested.
Haven't been able to get hold of the 'Thick' Diff oil...80-140...If i remember correctly...anyone know where to get it from?
Thanks for all your help so far, just a tad wary of this apollo tank, when i start up!....If it has enough oil etc....
I shall have a look on blat chat!
Mike.
I didn't need them all, i only went to buy a jack and Halfords did all these in a pack, for £44.00 !!...Not real crap either! (thought someone may be interested.
Haven't been able to get hold of the 'Thick' Diff oil...80-140...If i remember correctly...anyone know where to get it from?
Thanks for all your help so far, just a tad wary of this apollo tank, when i start up!....If it has enough oil etc....
I shall have a look on blat chat!
Mike.
evening, Sorry i can't help with the Gearbox as i have a 6 speed box so not sure if things are the same on the 5 speed box, as for Diff mine has a drain plug 10mm allen Key, your diff type will control what oil to use, so do some research on what diff you have.
A oil change is very easy on a 7 even with the apollo tank...
1) While the car is cold slacken the apollo tank drain bolt then pinch backup do the same with the sump bolt, the apollo can be a real pain in the ass to undo!
2) Run the engine for just under 5 mins, enough to warm the oil but not so hot you can't touch anything!
3) Drain the sump via the sump plug, Remove the Oil Filter, then drain the Apollo tank!
Once your happy that the oil is all out of the system replace the parts removed,
4) Replace the Apollo drain plug, Use a new copper washer for the sump plug, Dip your finger in some fresh oil and smear over the rubber seal on the new oil filter replace and only tighten as much as your hand allows, make sure the threaded part on the oil pump is tight as this can sometimes undo when you remove the oil filter.
5) Fill with a whole 5L of your choice of oil i use 5w 50, then fill with another 1 litre, after you have 6L of fresh oil in the car start it up and check for leaks from the sump and apollo.
6) if all is good, top up the remaining oil while the car is running using the dipstick as a guide, you should have roughly 7.5L of oil in when finished.
Oil, Filter change done, sounds long winded but i can do this in 20 mins, it depends how hot you let the oil get before you drain it
As i do a fair amount of track days i purchase 10L of oil and a new sump washer and filter, when i have used the remaining oil out of the 2nd 5L i replace it all again.
J
A oil change is very easy on a 7 even with the apollo tank...
1) While the car is cold slacken the apollo tank drain bolt then pinch backup do the same with the sump bolt, the apollo can be a real pain in the ass to undo!
2) Run the engine for just under 5 mins, enough to warm the oil but not so hot you can't touch anything!
3) Drain the sump via the sump plug, Remove the Oil Filter, then drain the Apollo tank!
Once your happy that the oil is all out of the system replace the parts removed,
4) Replace the Apollo drain plug, Use a new copper washer for the sump plug, Dip your finger in some fresh oil and smear over the rubber seal on the new oil filter replace and only tighten as much as your hand allows, make sure the threaded part on the oil pump is tight as this can sometimes undo when you remove the oil filter.
5) Fill with a whole 5L of your choice of oil i use 5w 50, then fill with another 1 litre, after you have 6L of fresh oil in the car start it up and check for leaks from the sump and apollo.
6) if all is good, top up the remaining oil while the car is running using the dipstick as a guide, you should have roughly 7.5L of oil in when finished.
Oil, Filter change done, sounds long winded but i can do this in 20 mins, it depends how hot you let the oil get before you drain it
As i do a fair amount of track days i purchase 10L of oil and a new sump washer and filter, when i have used the remaining oil out of the 2nd 5L i replace it all again.
J
Edited by Jam3s on Wednesday 14th July 22:32
That is very thorough!
Thankyou all for your advice...never dealt with an apollo tank before, i assume i fill it first?....or is it last?...I just know this sounds really green and i shall look back and think, 'What a t
t'!!!..
As long as i get 7 litres in, i assume it will be safe to turn over...then top up again?
Thankyou GraemeP for pointing me to BlatChat, couldn't find your posting though....
I have changed the gearbox oil...bit of a mission to get to!..
Diff next, looks quite easy, i am going to try that 75-140 Raceline from Opie...he reckons it could be good but won't last quite so long in a LSD...Might quieten it up a tad though!.
Sat will be Engine oil day!
Really frustrating not going out in it, it is on axle stands on the drive...very sad!!...
Loving all this, except for the gearbox oil, i remember how much it stinks now.
I shall post up my progress, hope i don't bore anyone too much! (penny to a pound my name is on a few 'Ignore' lists'!!..
Thanks,
Mike.
Thankyou all for your advice...never dealt with an apollo tank before, i assume i fill it first?....or is it last?...I just know this sounds really green and i shall look back and think, 'What a t
t'!!!..As long as i get 7 litres in, i assume it will be safe to turn over...then top up again?
Thankyou GraemeP for pointing me to BlatChat, couldn't find your posting though....
I have changed the gearbox oil...bit of a mission to get to!..
Diff next, looks quite easy, i am going to try that 75-140 Raceline from Opie...he reckons it could be good but won't last quite so long in a LSD...Might quieten it up a tad though!.
Sat will be Engine oil day!
Really frustrating not going out in it, it is on axle stands on the drive...very sad!!...
Loving all this, except for the gearbox oil, i remember how much it stinks now.
I shall post up my progress, hope i don't bore anyone too much! (penny to a pound my name is on a few 'Ignore' lists'!!..
Thanks,
Mike.
Well the Diff oil is now changed
I used that weird oil from Opie, it is a bright green in colour!(advised by Opie, hopefully will quieten diff down...We shall see.)
Slid under the car, smacked my head on the axle stand pin.....Blood trickling in my left eye, managed to suck all the oil out though!..
Next, found the Opie oil didn't come in a 'Squeeze bottle' with tube...
So i dropped it in from the boot, through a funnel and tubing!..
Chuffed, just the engine oil now!
I'll have a go tomorrow, if it doesn't rain!
Mike.
I used that weird oil from Opie, it is a bright green in colour!(advised by Opie, hopefully will quieten diff down...We shall see.)
Slid under the car, smacked my head on the axle stand pin.....Blood trickling in my left eye, managed to suck all the oil out though!..
Next, found the Opie oil didn't come in a 'Squeeze bottle' with tube...
So i dropped it in from the boot, through a funnel and tubing!..
Chuffed, just the engine oil now!
I'll have a go tomorrow, if it doesn't rain!
Mike.
The plug on the bottom of the Apollo is recessed in a hex casting on the bottom of the tank. Hold this with a spanner while undoing the apollo allen plug. The apollo oil lines can bend otherwise.
Also while you're under there grease the prop shaft UJs
Check the gearbox level through the hole in the side, use a cut down allen key to get to it. And, very important, use a GL4 gearbox oil
Also while you're under there grease the prop shaft UJs
Check the gearbox level through the hole in the side, use a cut down allen key to get to it. And, very important, use a GL4 gearbox oil
Incorrigible said:
The plug on the bottom of the Apollo is recessed in a hex casting on the bottom of the tank. Hold this with a spanner while undoing the apollo allen plug. The apollo oil lines can bend otherwise.
Also while you're under there grease the prop shaft UJs
Check the gearbox level through the hole in the side, use a cut down allen key to get to it. And, very important, use a GL4 gearbox oil
Thankyou my friend, Opie oils have supplied me with the GL4 oil, and i have completed the gearbox....cut a hex spanner down to do the job as well!..(Clever ain't i...) Also while you're under there grease the prop shaft UJs
Check the gearbox level through the hole in the side, use a cut down allen key to get to it. And, very important, use a GL4 gearbox oil
Only the engine now!!...thanks for the tip, coild have saved me a miserable weekend...I want to pop over to Hayling Island on Sunday and spend the day cruising..with the odd squirt!!....(That's not the wife)
Have a nice weekend chaps!
Mike.
Engine oil completed, real easy!...Was panicking a bit starting up..
I was watching the Oil pressure gauge like a hawk, every second was like a minute...
After 4 seconds i bottled it, turned off and ran through my head what i had done...All seemed well and i had 7 litres in, so i started it again....another hour....OK 4 seconds and it moved up nice and smooth...perfect.
Topped up until it was right on the button, no leaks, oil pressure comes straight up now!
I would say that the Diff oil from Opie, quietens the diff down a bit...but not completely!
Luvvit!
(I will put another thread up soon, as i want to set up my suspension....it is a bit of a handful under throttle, on even slightly bumpy roads.
Mike.
I was watching the Oil pressure gauge like a hawk, every second was like a minute...
After 4 seconds i bottled it, turned off and ran through my head what i had done...All seemed well and i had 7 litres in, so i started it again....another hour....OK 4 seconds and it moved up nice and smooth...perfect.
Topped up until it was right on the button, no leaks, oil pressure comes straight up now!
I would say that the Diff oil from Opie, quietens the diff down a bit...but not completely!
Luvvit!
(I will put another thread up soon, as i want to set up my suspension....it is a bit of a handful under throttle, on even slightly bumpy roads.
Mike.
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